FCCA Gala draws stellar crowd, in aid of charity

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association's 23rd annual Gala drew 400 attendees and more than 50 cruise line executives, including presidents and chief executives, for networking and to benefit the FCCA Foundation.

'The FCCA Gala facilitated networking between member line executives and cruise tourism stakeholders, while contributing to a good cause: the FCCA Foundation,' FCCA president Michele Paige said.

FCCA chairman Adam Goldstein, president and chief operating officer, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., noted the FCCA Foundation has been benefiting humanitarian causes in the Caribbean and Latin America for 22 years. Those include the annual Holiday Gift Project that last season distributed 9,000 gifts to underprivileged children in 43 destinations.

Speaking about FCCA Gala event sponsor Port Everglades, Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief told attendees: 'We're expanding and modernizing our cruise facilities to attract your new ships.' Increased air service at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, she added, includes Dubai service via Emirates.

Port Canaveral and PortMiami served as partner sponsors, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism was reception sponsor and Park West the silent art auction sponsor. Platinum level table sponsors were Diamonds International, Port St. Maarten Group of Companies and Seatrade Cruise Global.